We’re promoting the anthology with a mini blog tour starting right here and right now. Along the way there will be snippets to read and the occasional prezzie to giveaway -- check the bottom of this post for the week’s scheduled stops.

Anyway, today’s topic is Christmas Kisses. There’s something inherently romantic about Christmas, I think, though I’m not exactly sure why that is. It’s not romantic in the way Valentine’s Day is. The romance of Christmas is tied in with a sense of nostalgia -- that longing for the way things used to be -- for home and family and all good, familiar things. It’s the time of year when we finally stop to count our blessings, and it’s also the time of year when we almost can’t help but evaluate our lives against our childhood dreams.

It can also be a lonely time of year if you’re far away from family and friends, and maybe that’s part of where that wanting someone special and all our own comes from. Someone to open presents with on Christmas morning and kiss under the mistletoe Christmas night.

Oh! And today I’m giving away one of the rare print editions of the anthology. To be eligible for the random drawing you must A - Follow the blog (look to the right hand sidebar and follow the directions) and B - leave a comment.

In the beginning of My True Love Gave to Me, I tried to capture the intensity of first love. The rush of emotion, the innocence of youth, the all-encompassing need to be together. In Alexander and Thomas’s case, it’s 1817 and the holiday season, which means a continual press of social and family obligations. Finding time alone with no one else being the wiser is almost impossible. In this excerpt, Alexander arranges some time completely alone with Thomas. It’s first time since they’ve arrived in London from Oxford when they have more than a brief stolen moment together.

A cool draft of air swept into the entrance hall as the butler opened the front door. “Mr. Norton, your carriage.”

It was all he could do not to dart out the door. His father’s black town carriage stood at the ready at the foot of the stone steps. Another one of their hostess’s footmen had the door already open. Rather than immediately enter, he paused to give the direction to the driver then followed Thomas inside, settling on the black leather bench opposite him.

The door snapped shut.

“Why are we going to DruryLaneTheatre?” Thomas asked.

“We aren’t.” He closed the shade on the window in the narrow door, cloaking the interior in almost full darkness. “I needed to give the driver a direction and it will do as good as any.”

The carriage lurched forward.

“But—?”

Alexander pounced on Thomas, cutting off his words.

Knees straddling muscular thighs and with his hands cupping that strong jaw, he pressed his lips to Thomas’s. Greedy and impatient, he flicked his tongue against the seam of Thomas’s lips.

With a groan, Thomas opened his mouth. A silken tongue brushed his own.

Hot and intense, sensation washed over him, filling his chest, his heart, his soul. A moan shook his throat.

By God, it was only like this with Thomas. No other had ever come close to rousing these feelings within him. Making his pulse pound through his veins and need claw desperately at his throat. This was where he belonged. With Thomas. In the man’s arms.

Harper’s tag for this scene from Winter Knights read “A less-than-obviously-romantic Christmas Kiss from Harper – this one takes place in a cave, and isn’t even between the book’s two main protags.” But I think you’ll agree that this scene where rescue-worker Arthur desperately tries to calm Gavin down after a rockfall, and one thing leads to another, is anything but unromantic.

He lifted me carefully into his arms. My mouth found his and he pushed me back for a second, then groaned and sought me for himself. I buried my hand in his hair’s rough silk. Shuddering, he kissed me, his fingers clenching on the collar of my shirt. He laid us

down on the debris-strewn floor. Dust and small stones were still falling—seeing this by lamplight, I choked in terror, but he hushed me. “No. Look at me. Just look at me.”

His clear grey eyes, his smile, were enough to stop the roof from caving in. They would hold up the sky. I imagined him as Orion, or Bootes, the shepherd-god who bore his namesake star Arcturus, stretched out across the starry night, and I seized him.

The first kiss in "The Christmas Proposition" is more about a kiss that they don't share, mirroring the words that neither of them were willing to risk saying during their first time together. It also gives the reader a chance to see how things went down (ahem) the first time Mel and Bryce met.

Mel is a waiter at Skipper's Diner and he's just helped a waitress handle a bunch of rowdy drunks. But as it turned out, one of the men wasn't drunk, and Mel knows him very well.

The bags thudded and clanged as I tossed them up into the dumpster. The air froze the inside of my nose, almost enough to make the smell bearable. I might have been expecting it, but my heart still leapt into my throat when a hard warm body pressed into me, shoving us through the back door, pressing me up against a stack of empty crates from Doyle’s Dairy.

The smell of him, sweat and dirt and man, chased away the leftover stench that leaked from even frozen garbage.

The back door banged shut behind us.

“Still fucking cold,” he said.

“It’s winter.” Not my best comeback. I’ll warm you up had a lot more charm. But my heart still pounded and the smell of him, the feel of him against me had way too much of that circulation focused on my dick. My brain was suffering oxygen deprivation. At least, that was my story, and I was sticking to it. It had nothing to do with whose body had me pinned against the crates.

The body that was sliding down, the man who, without a word or a kiss hello, was dropping to his knees for me. Why kiss me hello? He hadn’t bothered to say good-bye.

I knocked the cap off his head. Even in the dark, his hair gave off those beautiful auburn highlights I remembered from two summers ago.

Bryce reached behind me and untied my apron, letting it drop to the floor before working back around to my fly. His breath flowed hot and damp over my cock.

The instant before those full lips closed around me, I whispered, “Just like the first time, huh?”

Though Mitch and Web were best friends and boyhood sweethearts, their relationship ended bitterly. They haven’t seen each other for nearly a decade and their lives have gone in very different directions. Mitch is on the run from a busted romance but somehow he finds himself falling for Web all over again.

The first kiss was tentative. The second kiss not so much.

They had kissed as boys, but back then the simple pleasure of mouths pressed together and shared breath had been fraught with their own insecurities about who and what they were. Kissing had somehow seemed more gay than the other things they did, and neither of them had been totally comfortable with it.

So it was a surprise to realize how familiar the taste of Web’s mouth was. Twelve years ought to make a difference, seeing that it was unlikely Web still lived on chili dogs, Dr Pepper and Goodart’s Peanut Patties. But Web still tasted sweet as Mitch parted his lips with a gentle tongue. He closed his eyes, savoring Web’s instant, generous response. Yes, they’d both learned a few things over the years. Web’s tongue touched his own. It really didn’t get a lot more personal than tongues twining in the dark, moist heat of two men’s mouths.

Mitch broke the kiss with reluctance and one final, teasing lick. The hardness under his caressing hand began to throb more urgently, and he was conscious only of wanting to make this good for Web. The best ever. Maybe he had been a moody, difficult kid, but he had loved Web with all his heart, and if he hadn’t taken the time to show it then…

*****

Don’t forget to join the blog and comment below for a chance to win a print copy of Men Under the Mistletoe.

61 comments:

I was all excited about Christmas until we got our tree Friday and no one has wanted to help me decorate it so now I'm all out of the mood again. Maybe reading some holiday stories will help? I can but try, I suppose!

Its snowy here this morning and its amazing how much more Christmassy I feel now. For the first time it feels like winter. And Christmas kisses, well I'm sure there will be a few and lots of hugging. The excerpts make me want to read the book even more, as soon as Carina will play with me....

It's a wet morning here. I do wish we could get a bit of snow as that might help put me in a Christmas mood. We've got the outside lights and Santa up. The tree will go up the week before Christmas. I've looked forward to reading this collection of stories for a while now and I will savour ever minute of it.

Oh dear, well we seem to have lots of bad weather and a surfeit of Christmas cheer this morning. So here's my wish that the rest of the day runs smoothly and you end this week tangled in tinsel and in a holly jolly mood. :-D

It's wet here as well, and dark out. Still holding out for a white Christmas. Me and my men are planning a game marathon (they've set their hearts on Riks, which can take upto days ...) for Christmas. I'm looking forward to hours of play and no pc.Oh ... and Doctor Who, of course :)

The Christmas mood has evaded me for the last couple of years.. And this year it doesn't look any brighter. I blame the lack of snow and the enormous pile of work that needs to be done (such a mood-killer!). And still - stories like these help me to get into the spirit of the holidays. :) Can't wait to get my hand on this collection!

These last few evenings I've started driving around my favorite neighbourhoods with the best Christmas lights. That always puts me in the Christmas spirit. I love Christmas kisses from kiddies...they are the most sweet.

Yay, the Miniblog Tour is off and rolling! It's great to see the first post and all our excerpts looking so kissy and fine. I have a suspicion my comment is about to pop up as "anonymous", though I have done my best to sign in, so just in case - hello, everyone, it's me, Harper, and I really hope you enjoy the upcoming week and all the posts and prizes. xxx

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. Unfortunately I've never been able to spend it with the person I most want to spend it with due to obligations he has. However, we celebrate our Christmas at New Years - a nice dinner, presents under the tree, and the kiss. Oh the kiss! You're so right about that Christmas kiss.

Well, my copy was waiting on my Kindle this morning when I climbed out of bed. And what else was waiting for me this morning? It's snowing in the Lone Star State! What a way to get into the Christmas spirit! I wish I could give you all a warm hug and a Christmas kiss! Very chaste, of course. xoxoxo

We're having cold rain with snow forecast to fall after dark. Started out early to finish errands. Can't wait! My mission: to get home to read this book, curled in a chair by the fireplace. There is magic surrounding a first kiss. So sweet. Never forgotten. :-)

As it so happens, I just finished reading 'Men Under the Mistletoe' and think it's one of the best anthologies I've ever seen put together. I owe a special thanks to you, Harper, Ava and KA, not just for presenting me with wonderful literary gifts, but to also give me something special to focus on while I was numb from grief over the sudden loss of my little ferret Pip. I 'took you all to bed with me' and was drawn into the wonderful words bestowed upon me by all your talents. BTW, I'm a very emotional person as it is as Harper will attest to and who I wish to thank most of all for letting me know about the anthology. I know it sounds over the top, but I'm quite sincere. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I love some snow as long as we get it in moderation. None of this 20-30cm storms that cause havoc on the roads and a nasty to clean up. 5cm at a time is just right for me. Easier to shovel and drive in.

I love Christmas! We put up a tree in the new flat, but all our Christmas decorations are still in transit, so now we have a bare Xmas tree, but already feel very festive! No likely t get snow this Christmas in London, but I could be wrong.

Maybe I should put up some mistletoes as well, then I'd just need some hot men to come over... :-)

Monday is off to a good start with my MUTM release, would love to have a paperback version tho, don't know why Carina can't offer the option...had to comment on the book excerpt when Mitch rolls the rental car and walks away, you have to wonder how is that possible?...a friend rolled his truck on the highway (michigan winter ice, no reindeers) and he & friends walked away with just bruises...Very lucky, and so it can happen! - s134

My first memorable kiss was from my fifth grade boy friend the day school let out for the Christmas holiday.....in front of my dad! I was embarrassed! My dad laughed his butt off all the way home. Couldn't wait to tell my mom. They teased me unmercifully. I didn't kiss another boy for years. Then I stopped kissing boys entirely.....smile.

As I patiently wait for my tablet to recharge, (it was down to 8%) I am trying to remember any holiday kisses with anyone besides my husband. I remember kisses from my parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins and some dear friends. And the hugs to go with them. But the only one that was the least bit romantic came from the man I married! He asked me to marry him during the holiday season and has been delivering love and romance into my life ever since.

We are in for a scorching hot Xmas this year; or so the weathermen say. I hate having a hot Xmas, it just doesnt seem right. And no, we won't be having prawns on the barbie. :-DNick proposed at Xmas so that SHOULD be the sweetest kiss memory...but it was a Xmas puppy, I got when I was 5, and all the kissing and cuddling that ensued, that stays in my memory. Ouch for Nick!

It's cold her in southwestern Connecticut, but not unbearably so. I was able to go out and do some errands without having to wear my heavy coat. It won't last long, though. Pretty soon it's gonna go down to freezing and we'll be hitting the 20s for daily lows. I'm trying to enjoy the pleasant weather while I still can!

...Christmas kisses. Alas, I can't remember any. As a teenager I remember spending it with family the whole time and they were fiercely protective of me so no guy had the guts to get too close. As for now? Single and will probably spend Christmas that way. ;)

Sitting on the beach on Christmas eve reading book in the shade and having the other half sneak up from behind me and give me a wonderful kiss. Till I pushed him away, he was still wet from swimming an he was ruining my book. Make me laugh at the time and smile for awhile after.

Love the excerpts and looking forward to reading the anthology. Summer's a great time to be reading about Christmas and the snow on the other side of the world, especially as this one is supposed to be a hot one.

Just found out I've been foiled again. Big plans to buy a print copy of 'Men under the Mistletoe' anthology only to realize there are no plans for a general release. Who ever wins this copy is going to be one very luck person and I wish them well, but will envy them also. Good luck every one!

I found your blog! By a roundabout route... I am a member of the Yahoo group but I forget to check Yahoo. And LJ - ditto apart from close friends. Can't promise regular attendance here but at least I know where to find updates!! I arrived via Harper's LJ post for today... I'm really looking forward to reading the anthology - last years' was great and I'm sure this year's will be too.

I guess I should maybe get on my Christmas baking; that should help the mood (at least until I realize I've eaten WAY too much). This year a lot of people are getting Mix-in-a-Jar type gifts, I think (and local friends a lot of cookies!) I miss having tinsel on my tree, but the cats eat it and I just can't deal with sparkly litter box this year...(Also killing my Christmas spirit is knowing that my DH is going to deploy to Afghanistan in April or May...)

Hope it's not too late, work blocks all the good sites LOL I would love Christmas Kisses, but no chance of that, not since 2001. Oh well, maybe I'll win the book and get some Christmas cookies that way :-).

The anthology was wonderful last year, and I loved reading Lone Star last night. You chose an excerpt with one of my favorite lines, "The second kiss, not so much." Looking forward to Winter Knights tonight.

About Me

Josh Lanyon is the author of over sixty titles of classic Male/Male fiction featuring twisty mystery, kickass adventure and unapologetic man-on-man romance.
Her work has been translated into eleven languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first male/male title to be published by Harlequin Mondadori, the largest romance publisher in Italy. Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan's annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English Series was awarded All Time Favorite Male Male Couple in the 2nd Annual contest held by the 20,000+ Goodreads M/M Group. Josh is an Eppie Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads Favorite M/M Author Lifetime Achievement award.